Formex’s 2nd-Gen Field Automatic Gets More Sophisticated Without Losing Its Tool-Watch Roots

When a watchmaker (let alone an independent watchmaker) gets the formula right on the first try, the challenge becomes how they’re going to keep evolving that formula further.

When it debuted in 2022, Formex’s Field Automatic was an instant hit. It was a titanium tool watch that punched well above its sub-$1,000 price point by balancing utilitarian toughness and Swiss mechanics. On the other hand, it lacked the visual sophistication found elsewhere in the brand’s catalog. Rectifying this shortcoming, Formex has just debuted the 2nd-gen Field Automatic, which still keeps everything that made the original so great.

From Motorsport to Military Inspiration

Formex’s journey to field watches wasn’t exactly linear. Founded in 1999 by the Grädel brothers in Switzerland’s watchmaking heartland of Biel/Bienne, the brand built its reputation around motorsport-inspired timepieces featuring their patented Case Suspension System, which is essentially automotive shock absorption for your wrist. When Raphael Granito took the helm in 2016, he expanded the brand’s ambitions while maintaining that focus on technical innovation and accessible luxury.

The Field Automatic represented Formex’s first serious foray into military-inspired territory, trading suspension systems for sandwich dials and lightweight titanium cases. It was a departure that made sense since field watches demand the same ruggedness and precision as the world of automotive watches, just with different aesthetic priorities.

Dial Sophistication Without Compromise

The Gen 2’s most significant update can be instantly seen on the dial, where Formex has introduced a two-part architecture that transforms the original’s utilitarian aesthetic into something more visually intriguing. The new design features a raised, sunburst-finished center surrounded by a sloped chapter ring, which creates depth and dimensionality that plays with light conditions in a cool way. It’s a move that brings the Field closer to the visual language of Formex’s Essence and Reef models without sacrificing the legibility that field watches should definitely have.

Replacing the palette of the predecessor, this new version debuts in three new colorways — Ice Blue, Coho Salmon, and Basalt Grey. The blue and salmon variants feature black lume for better contrast, while the gray model sticks with traditional white Super-LumiNova.

Titanium That Actually Performs

While it drops the size from 41mm to 40mm, Formex hasn’t messed with the case material at all. Also maintaining the same 150m of water resistance, the grade 2 titanium housing receives the brand’s proprietary hardening treatment, boosting surface hardness from 145 to 900 Vickers (nearly 3x harder than Grade 5 titanium). Perfect for the field watch category, this makes the watch more scratch-resistant while maintaining titanium’s lightweight, corrosion-resistant properties — especially at this price. Moreover, the sandblasted finish has a rugged look and will develop a natural patina over time, varying with each wearer’s skin chemistry. 

For the band, the new Field Automatics come with either a nylon Velcro strap or a leather strap with a micro-adjustable carbon deployment clasp.

Reliable Foundation

Housed in the titanium case, the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement provides the mechanical backbone while keeping costs low. We love the SW200-1 with its reliable workhorse setup, even if it won’t give you chronometer-certified precision per se. But for a field watch, this makes perfect sense. 

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Opening up for pre-orders today, the Formex Field Automatic Gen 2 is priced at $870 on the nylon Velcro strap or $995 on leather — about the same price point as the Gen-1 versions. Deliveries are expected for June.

Recap

Formex Field Automatic Gen-2

Formex updates its popular Field Automatic with a slightly smaller titanium case and redesigned dial for more sophistication.

Learn More: Formex